DiscernmentSample

True Freedom

The Bible has several instructions on the discernment of freedom, and Paul summarises them effectively.

Freedom is the right enjoyed by individuals in making daily choices without any restraint and hence is an essential requisite for a meaningful life. Yet, it is akin to a double-edged sword that can hurt as much as it can protect. When used responsibly, it is a shield; and when used haphazardly, it is destructive. Pope John Paul II encapsulated the essence of freedom thus: ‘Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought’.

A leader, even a corporate executive, plays varying roles and adopts different management styles and functioning, according to his capacity. His effectiveness depends on his ability to handle one significant factor in his hands – the freedom attached to his position and the maturity with which he uses it vis-à-vis with which he abuses it.

The business world is replete with professionals who had everything going in their favour and that of their businesses until they began to abuse and misuse their freedom. The recent outbreak of scams and inappropriate conduct by people at the helm in the corporate world and political offices are all classic illustrations of abused and misused freedom.

The instance of the executive under whom I worked a long while ago, comes to my mind. In a contract bidding that the company participated, he had plenty of freedom to manipulate and use some dubious methods to win the contract and meet his sales targets. Yet, he restrained himself and never got carried away in using his freedom to indulge in deceitful practices. Though he lost the bid and could not meet his sales target for the quarter, slowly and steadily his numbers improved and at the end of the year he exceeded the target. He eventually earned many laurels and had a successful career, thanks to his right discernment of freedom.

It pays to understand that the only way to be truly free is to be self-restrained. There is a world of truth in the words of Bernard Baruch who said, ‘Our only freedom is the freedom to discipline ourselves’.

Lord, give me the humility to value my freedom and the grace to use it responsibly. Amen